Friday, August 24, 2012Last Update: 9:32 AM PT

Crime Stoppers Cop Faces Hard Time

DALLAS (CN) - A police officer who headed Dallas Crime Stoppers faces up to 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing $250,000 for bogus tips, prosecutors said. Senior Cpl. Theadora Ross, 52, of Rowlett, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and tax evasion. She faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy and 5 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for tax evasion. Ross was arrestedand charged in January 2011. She is free on bond until her Dec. 3 sentencing before U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey. Crime Stoppers guarantees tipsters anonymity so they can call in without fear of retribution. The tipsters get numbers and a code word to use if they become eligible for a cash reward. The number and code word get them a reward when they present it at a JP Morgan Chase Bank. Prosecutors said Ross provided co-defendant Malva R. Delley, 38, of Dallas, and the bank bogus tip numbers and code words, and the women split the take. "From February 2005 through May 2010, the conspirators collected at least $250,000 in cash rewards for bogus tips, resulting in a loss to the North Texas Crime Commission," which oversees Crime Stoppers, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in January 2011 when announcing the arrests. "However, no false arrests were made based on Ross's actions." Delley pleaded guilty on May 17, 2011, to conspiring to make a false statement to a financial institution. She remains free on bond and faces up to 5 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. She will be sentenced on Sept. 24. Ross also admitted that from 2006 to 2009, she failed to report her profits from the scheme, thereby ducking more than $38,000 in income taxes.